Indy’s second pothole blitz to start Monday as crews work to fix Indy’s rough roads

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Drivers around Indianapolis are hoping for some relief from potholes this week as the city begins an aggressive pothole blitz.

This is the second pothole blitz of the year. The problem has been so bad that Mayor Joe Hogsett declared an emergency last week.

The Department of Public Works will have a full callout starting Monday morning. Crews will hit the streets and use a hot mix to make repairs. They won’t be alone—contractors are also being called in to help.

Last week, Hogsett proposed a $14 million fix to the city’s pothole woes. The money includes $13 million from the city’s “rainy day” fund. The other $1 million comes from DPW’s budget. Hogsett said temperatures swings in January and February have contributed to the problem.

"Unlike traditionally where we have reportedly holes where we fill the hole and then move on, this week we're going to be starting on a street and working the entire street so the whole thing is done," said DPW Director Dan Parker.

DPW has received more than 12,000 service requests for pothole and has used “quick fixes” and cold patches to make repairs. The department also conducted a four-day blitz from Jan. 30 through Feb. 2.

"With the hot mix we're going to be able to have a more lasting mix down into the holes. Our hope is to nail as many as we can," Parker added.

In addition to the hot mix, crews will also use a technique called “strip patching,” where asphalt is applied to the road instead of having crews fill individual potholes along a particularly bad stretch.